The Texas Department of Transportation is moving resources into several South Texas counties experiencing an economic boom from oil and gas production.

“TxDOT’s mission is to provide a safe and reliable transportation system for the state of Texas. The increases we are seeing in traffic, however, is making this a challenge in some of our South Texas counties. TxDOT recognizes this and is working hard for the public to meet these challenges,” TxDOT Corpus Christi District Engineer Lonnie Gregorcyk, P.E said.

The latest example began on Monday, July 8, when about 50 workers, some from other areas of the state, were dedicated to improving the safety and integrity of roadways in Karnes, Live Oak and northern Bee counties. For about 10 weeks, these crews will repair and rehabilitate roadways as well as address safety issues such as edge drop-offs and potholes.

Corpus Christi District crews have been reinforced by personnel from the TxDOT Pharr District who are working on FM 2049 in Live Oak County and by a crew from TxDOT’s Yoakum District who are deployed to FM 627 in Karnes County.

Work also begin on FM 81 between State Highways 80 and 123 in the Panna Maria area under a $3.4 million emergency contract on Monday.

The work is in addition to some higher profile safety improvements already under way in response to the increased traffic volumes. These include:

The addition of a passing lane on SH 72 near Pawnee for $8.4 million.

Pavement repair and construction of a new passing lane on US 181 between Kenedy and Tuleta for $8.6 million.

Roadway maintenance on FM 626 from FM 99 to SH 72 and on FM 1353 from US 181 to FM 2102 in Karnes County for $3.3 million.

Plans have been developed for FM 882, FM 798 and FM 791.

“TxDOT will have a high presence in northern Bee, Karnes and Live Oak counties for the foreseeable future,” Gregorcyk said.